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It's amazing how this thread turned into a "recip vs. scroll" discussion....anyway, I'll put a recip up against a scroll anytime! Recips were around before all of us on this forum, and are still proven to perform. Copeland has done a good job on convincing most everyone that the scrolls are better. There are a lot of old recips still performing out there, older than a lot of scroll powered units, and will probably outlast the scrolls still. I replace more failed scrolls than recips and most of them in newer units, especially "rheem/ruud" units. Granted part of them are do to the improper installation of the equipment, or homeowners not changing filters, I don't think the scrolls can hold up to a recip. I'm not directly trashing "rheem/ruud", Just my opinion based on my 20 years experience. Go ahead and trash me, but....my 2 cents.

It seems to me I heard that Rheem has an enclosed burner 80% furnace that is quite quiet. If so, I would think that sound rating may be a major factor with a condo install and so I would recommend the Rheem in this situation.

Robo, you are correct, Rheem has a quiet 80% furnace (80PS model), they also have the Super Quiet 80% furnace (RGPN model). Both are quiet but I like the Super Quiet better. I've got one installed in my house, a closet install less than 10 feet from living room/family room where 90% of TV watching is done. No need to adjust the volume when the AC or Furnace is running...

Nope,I said"But,Copelands Puron/R410a Scroll,has proven to be the most reliable compressor they ever built,seems their Scroll over their recips,has been superior for them.'

So by Copelands satistics ,their scroll is more reliable then their recips..

Bristol has held up well,but it would be interesting to know how it compars to Copelands two stage scrool,in failure rate.I doubt we'll ever see facts,that prove one better then the other,and even if we had real data,there's that pesky question of the install and how it contributed to any failures.

I have two stage scroll's in our home,since 2002 and they are doing fine.Likely better dehum. then the Bristol,since the Infinity Controler is reducing the low stage cfms as if it was a Bristol,30 degree temp drop on low stage.I was concerned about it,but copeland said no issues ,and so far they were right.

Mikey, I take it you like recips' as good or better than a scroll.
A scroll is my personal preference: they start under less load & usually don't require a start kit, not subject to blown valves due to liquid slugging (though they can be damaged), have fewer parts to go bad

Besides all that, we are sitting here telling them to buy a quiet furnace, what about the ac, scroll would be a lot quiter, maybe its located near a window , or patio, My customers are usually very impressed, when we start up a new unit with a scroll, and it sounds nothing like their old unit, Many have commented they didnt know they could be that quiet.

Nope,I said"But,Copelands Puron/R410a Scroll,has proven to be the most reliable compressor they ever built,seems their Scroll over their recips,has been superior for them.'

So by Copelands satistics ,their scroll is more reliable then their recips..

Bristol has held up well,but it would be interesting to know how it compars to Copelands two stage scrool,in failure rate.I doubt we'll ever see facts,that prove one better then the other,and even if we had real data,there's that pesky question of the install and how it contributed to any failures.

I have two stage scroll's in our home,since 2002 and they are doing fine.Likely better dehum. then the Bristol,since the Infinity Controler is reducing the low stage cfms as if it was a Bristol,30 degree temp drop on low stage.I was concerned about it,but copeland said no issues ,and so far they were right.

Mr. dash, I may be mistaking you for someone else, but I thought I read where you were more of an advocate for the Bristol Twin Single compressor for dehumidifying over the two stage Copeland scroll. If memory serves me, you said that because the Bristol ran at 50/50 staging, it was better for dehumidification. Am I getting mixed up here, or have you checked into the differences between the Bristol Twin Single and the Copeland two stage scroll and decided that the Copeland is now better?

Besides all that, we are sitting here telling them to buy a quiet furnace, what about the ac, scroll would be a lot quiter, maybe its located near a window , or patio, My customers are usually very impressed, when we start up a new unit with a scroll, and it sounds nothing like their old unit, Many have commented they didnt know they could be that quiet.

I would say a major clarification about sound is in order here. Scrolls "can" be quieter then recipricating compressors when there are no external sound dampening components used. Scrolls can also produce, while not as actually loud, a most annoying harmonic vibration that to many consumers is worse then the localized grinding of a noisy recipricating compressor just starting up. To say that scroll compressors are across the board less noisy is just not accurate.

Mr. dash, I may be mistaking you for someone else, but I thought I read where you were more of an advocate for the Bristol Twin Single compressor for dehumidifying over the two stage Copeland scroll. If memory serves me, you said that because the Bristol ran at 50/50 staging, it was better for dehumidification. Am I getting mixed up here, or have you checked into the differences between the Bristol Twin Single and the Copeland two stage scroll and decided that the Copeland is now better?

It's my understanding that the Bristol can do a better job of dehumidification ,due to lower capacity in low stage,which will create longer cycles.

In our home I have Copeland Scroll two stage that were supplied for testing in 2002.They are running lower cfms then recommend,in low stage as the controller can't recognize them as scrolls,resulting in a greater TD over the coil,without any issues so far.